ICAM and SPDT

How Sono PhotoDynamic Therapy (SPDT) works:

The Therapy is illustrated in Figure 1.

Step 1 - The patient ingests a non-toxic chlorophyll based sensitizers.

Step 2 - The sensitizers are selectively absorbed & bound by cancer cells.

Step 3 - Exposure to light & ultra sound activates the sensitizer.

Step 4 - Production of a high-energy molecule, a powerful oxidant (O2).

Step 5 - O2 attacks and kills cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unaffected.

This in turn gives up the energy it has acquired in two ways:  a) By reacting with oxygen in the body to produce free radical oxygen and other free radicals. These are powerful oxidants, so powerful that they immediately attack nearby organic material - the cancer cell. B) By emitting fluorescent radiation that can be detected and used to locate cells that have taken up the sensitizers, once again - the cancer cells. 

Dougherty et al (4) report that SPDT destroys cancer cells using a number of different mechanisms:

  1. Direct cytolytic (cell destroying) effect.
  2. Induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death)
  3. Induction of an immune response to tumor (non-specific as well as specific response, which may lead to long term control of the tumor).
  4. Induction of micro vascular damage, which may lead to tumor nutrient deprivation. 
Limitations of classical/earlier generation PDT››

Contact us for more information
or call 317-670-4665

Exclusion Criteria for SPDT Treatment of Cancer

The following is an overview of patients who may not be accepted for SPDT:

1. Patients without adequate pre-assessment tests. (Appropriate scans (MRI, CT or ultrasound) and relevant blood tests (including full blood count, liver function tests, urea and electrolytes, and tumour markers) must be available to the Clinic's assessing doctor. Tests must be current).

2. Patients under the age of 18.

3. Pregnant or potentially pregnant patients. (Women of childbearing age must be tested for pregnancy before treatment and must not contemplate pregnancy within 12 months of SPDT)

4. Clinically depressed patients, who are unlikely to complete the treatment or cope with possible side effects.

5. Patients with advanced aggressive widespread cancer (i.e. terminal patients), unless the patients treating doctor is in no doubt that the patient is still strong enough to handle the therapy.

6. Patients on supplemental oxygen most of the time.

7. Patients not well enough to travel to the Clinic.

8. Patients suffering from severe cachexia (wasting syndrome) or who are rapidly losing weight.

9. Patients with stents implanted for pancreatic cancer or bile duct cancer.

10. Patients with tumours involving a major blood vessel where treatment may lead to major haemorrhage. Adequate scans must be available to determine this criterion.

11. Patients whose tumours involve a major part of the vertebral column or the spinal cord, where destruction of the tumour could lead to collapse. Adequate scans must be available to determine this criterion.

12. Patients suffering from porphyria (a serious photosensitive, light sensitizing condition).

13. Patients who had surgery less than 3 weeks prior to SPDT/SDT.

Please contact us to find out if you qualify for SPDT treatment.